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Couples' Top 10 Tech Fights

They say technology has made dating an easier, richer, more multi-faceted experience. While that's true, it's also created a lot of new arguments. Let's face it: relationships didn't really need any more of those — we already have plenty to go around.

Below, take a look at the top 10 new arguments that couples have as a result of technology.

1. Messing with DVR'ed shows

This is a mild one, sure. But if you've ever had a marathon of America's Next Top Model — you know, the one you were saving for after your big work project ended — deleted from the house DVR by your significant other, it's an argument worth having. The golden rule: Delete nothing, and if the DVR is getting full, any deletions need to be done as a team. Do not mess with my terrible reality show addiction.

2. Not following/friending

"We've been dating for a month now," my pal recently said to me. "Why isn't she following me on Twitter? I tweet double entendre stuff intended for her all the time!"

Perhaps it's just one more layer of commitment that freaks out your new squeeze; perhaps she wants to keep the mystery around a bit longer; or, perhaps she only uses social networking for professional things. Who knows? The point is that not being friends online doesn't mean she's not into you. It is, however, yet another "discussion" that seems innocuous, but is filled with relationship landmines.

3. When do you stop your OKCupid membership?

You met the guy you're dating on OKCupid, you two have been seeing each other for a bit, and you find out that his profile is still active. Is he still looking for dates? Is he so sure that this will end that he wants to keep his options open? Has he just forgotten about it completely? Does he think that if he shuts it down that it'll scare you off?

Did you see all those questions? Those all came from merely noticing that someone hasn't changed something online. Yikes.

4. Porn in the Internet history

Ah, this old chestnut. You are on your boyfriend/girlfriend's computer, you open a new Safari tab, and BOOM! All the "most visited" pages conveniently pop up for you to choose from. And one of them is Brazzers.

Look, I'm not going to rehash the "porn in a relationship" argument — in my opinion, it is somewhat selfish to request that a partner not watch porn. Loving porn doesn't mean that you don't love the person you're with. But regardless of your feelings of porn's place in a relationship, we're a long way from the VHS tapes that were easily hidden under the bed or at the top of the closet when you visited, and hence, more discussions are required.

5. Being friends with exes online

Before Facebook, if a boyfriend had told me, "Well, I'm just going to randomly get life updates from the girl I was in love with before you, and sometimes I'll look at pictures of her, but it's totally fine", I would have hightailed it out of there.

But now voyeurism and "checking in" on people from our pasts is somewhat normal. This is a discussion worth having, if only to get a sense of how much closure you have with each of your respective exes, but do your best to not be threatened by a Facebook ex. And if you have an ex that is making your significant other really uncomfortable, ask yourself if keeping the ex is a battle worth choosing.

6. Constantly being on phone/laptop/iPad

My husband and I have a rule when we're at a restaurant together: no phones. Even for couples that are established and secure in their love, having someone glance at a phone while you're telling a story makes you feel insignificant, uninteresting and lame. Make sure that when you're with the one you love you spend time just with them, without distractions, or you'll find yourself in this very new argument.

7. Tweeting news before telling your significant other

My friend got a call from his doctor with some good news, and he was so relieved, he immediately tweeted about it. His wife saw the tweet and was furious that he felt it was more important to tell a few hundred strangers rather than calling her to tell her, and only her, the good news. Was he thinking of it in terms of "I want to tell my followers before my wife"? Nah. But did it seem that way to her? Sure. Many couples have had to set up an informational chain of command, thanks to social networking.

8. Getting caught in a lie about where you are and what you're doing

You're in a fairly new relationship and have been seeing a lot of each other. It's going great. Your girlfriends ask if you want to have a girls night out, and you say yes. Your new man calls a few minutes later and asks if you want to see a movie. You feel bad, so you lie and say you're just going to stay home alone that night. A few drinks later, you're Instagramming pics of yourself with your pals, and of course your man follows you. FourSquare, Twitter locations, being tagged in other people's pics — it's getting harder and harder to deny what you're doing and where you're doing it. So instead of the old fashioned "I'm busy at work" excuse when you're having girl's night, we now have the honest, and more difficult "It's a new relationship and also I need some time with just my friends" conversation.

9. The "Why is he/she posting on your wall and tweeting at you?" fight

Before technology, if someone flirted with you, you and the flirtee were the only ones to know. No matter how you responded to it, it was your business. Now, if someone flirts with you over Twitter or Facebook, all it takes is a little bit of searching to find out.

"Who is he? How do you know him? Why is he telling you how hot you are?" Be sure that you are being honest in your responses (and invitations) to flirty folk, but know that being flirted with is not your fault, and should not be treated as something you've done wrong. It's just yet another test of relationship security.

10. Three words: relationship status update

This is the biggest enchilada argument of them all. Before Facebook/MySpace/Friendster, the only time you'd need to have the "What are we to each other?" talk would be when you met each other's families. Now there are statuses to be changed, and therefore conversations to be had. Do you change yours without discussion and hope the other person agrees? Do you talk about it beforehand, and if so, how long do you need to be dating before you broach the topic? What if you think that information should always be private? Why isn't there a "casually dating but we'll see" status on Facebook? It's complicated.

Who knows what the future will bring — perhaps apps that can scan your date for STDs? Maybe a Twitterfeed analysis site that will reveal the personality traits of the person you're dating? Overall, I think we can all agree that we'd rather continue life with all of this technology rather than without it. Sometimes, however, I yearn for the simplicity of blind dates, finding out what movies a stranger likes, and never seeing pictures of your current date with his ex.

What are your biggest relationship arguments that technology has caused? Let us know in the comments below.

For more sage digital era dating advice, be sure to watch the exclusive Mashable series, Love in the Time of Robots. Each week we answer viewer questions on everything from online dating dilemmas to sexting etiquette to tactics for stalking your exes on Facebook.

New episodes premiere every Monday at 10pm ET. Watch the latest episode here:

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